Rustic Pumpkin
18-09-2008, 12:45 PM
I've had an ongoing problem with my back for decades, ever since I had a bad landing in gym at age 12. Over the years I have learned to manage it and not had too many issues. However, sometime in the last 12 months ( and I can't say exactly when) it began to worsen mainly at night with difficulty turning over. I am, thankfully, not in bad pain, it is managable, but it is the incredible inability to move that is the problem. I won't say I don't get pain, I can get it and it can be bad, but I know what to do to manage it. The brain keeps signalling 'do this' the body simply does not respond. It is very bad in the morning as I can barely put one foot in front of t'other for about 20 minutes. This, given that I am Dad's primary carer is not good when called out of bed in the middle of the night, but I manage: I have to.
This March I bought a new bed, thinking that would resolve the problem, but it didn't. It was not cheap, and now that my only source of income is my Carer's Allowance, put a huge dent in my savings. Next option: Doctor. Result: 2 sorts of pain killers and an appointment with the hospital physiotherapist. Didn't I say I am not in pain? So why give me two sorts of pain killers! Anyway, long story getting longer.
Four appointments with said physio and I am told I have arthritis in my spine. How can they say that just by looking at me? I haven't had any x-rays or blood tests. She gave me no treatment! I am now on a waiting list for a month-long 'back management' course.
So, fed up with waiting for a (useless) physio to deliver, I have engaged the services of a private chiropractor. I have had just one visit (£40) and already the change is marked! Subsequent visits will be £30. It is not cheap, but OMG it is worth every penny. I have been able to do a little light gardening, I am sleeping about 50% better, and I can get out of bed a lot more quickly than a week ago! I have been on several walks in the past 4 days, probably covering not much more than 10 miles over the 4 days, but that is heaps more than I have done and is pointing to my getting back to my long coast path walks soon, when I had been wondering if I'd ever do them again.
I now can't wait for my next appointment. It might be costing, but is a thousand times better than what was being delivered at no cost from the NHS.
This March I bought a new bed, thinking that would resolve the problem, but it didn't. It was not cheap, and now that my only source of income is my Carer's Allowance, put a huge dent in my savings. Next option: Doctor. Result: 2 sorts of pain killers and an appointment with the hospital physiotherapist. Didn't I say I am not in pain? So why give me two sorts of pain killers! Anyway, long story getting longer.
Four appointments with said physio and I am told I have arthritis in my spine. How can they say that just by looking at me? I haven't had any x-rays or blood tests. She gave me no treatment! I am now on a waiting list for a month-long 'back management' course.
So, fed up with waiting for a (useless) physio to deliver, I have engaged the services of a private chiropractor. I have had just one visit (£40) and already the change is marked! Subsequent visits will be £30. It is not cheap, but OMG it is worth every penny. I have been able to do a little light gardening, I am sleeping about 50% better, and I can get out of bed a lot more quickly than a week ago! I have been on several walks in the past 4 days, probably covering not much more than 10 miles over the 4 days, but that is heaps more than I have done and is pointing to my getting back to my long coast path walks soon, when I had been wondering if I'd ever do them again.
I now can't wait for my next appointment. It might be costing, but is a thousand times better than what was being delivered at no cost from the NHS.